Gobliiins Review

By , on November 10, 2010


Gobliiins
  • Publisher: Bulkypix
  • Genre: Adventure
  • Released: 8 Nov, 2010
  • Size: 18.1 MB
  • Price: $2.99
Download on the AppStore
3 out of 5

PROS

  • Classic point and click adventure gaming.
  • Complex puzzles with unique interactions.
  • Simplified save system.
  • Hint system available.

CONS

  • Slow gameplay combined with challenging logical processes get frustrating, fast.
  • No hint system penalties.

VERDICT

  • Gobliiins is a classic in the field of adventure titles, but it also carries all the hallmarks of why the genre fell out of vogue.

  • Full Review
  • App Store Info

Gobliiins is arguably best referred to as the kind of title that causes some fan-boys to glaze over with rose-tinted memories of glee, but playing it again without the aid of nostalgic hindsight can be cruel on these memories. While the fourth installment of this series was released last year, it's odd that Bulkypix would choose to port it over to the App Store given its somewhat 'eclectic' appeal.

In this adventure you'll take control over three goblins, each with their own unique skills that will need to be combined to overcome each screen's series of puzzles to continue on. This familiar formula isn't always easy to pull off and without the aid of hints you'll find yourself needing to try just about every thinkable combination to find the correct solution. Two control systems have been implemented and players can either use touch controls to highlight interactive objects or use a cursor system which is much the same only with a moveable cursor.

Barring the additional menus and hints, Gobliiins has no visual upgrades from the original title. The artwork may be dated, but lots of little details have gone in to the animations that put some modern games to shame.

The game's biggest flaw is the inherently obscure solutions that at one time would have been considered clever, but now only cause frustration; the days of developers acting like they're competing against their customers are long past and it only adds to showing the game's dated style. Ultimately Gobliiins is a faithful reproduction of this classic game and for nostalgia fans this is a boon, but it brings baggage that may not be enjoyable to newer gamers.

Screenshots

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